Epilogue
Six Months Later
The door opened to the room where Louise and her mother added the final touches to her wedding attire.
“Christina. Where have you been?” Mrs. Hartfield asked, holding a comb. Louise’s curls were not cooperating.
“Let me do that.” Christina took the comb. “If you must know, I was downstairs with Richard, seeing to the arrival of the Prince Regent. He’s a very nice man.” She set the Stirling tiara in Louise’s hair and fashioned the curls around it.
“The Prince Regent?” Louise asked, staring at her sister’s reflection in the mirror.
“Don’t be silly. Your almost husband’s cousin, of course. Earlier today, he introduced me to Amber Blaze.”
“You didn’t go riding.” Her mother was in a pique.
“I’m sure she didn’t. We would have seen the mud on her skirt.” Louise teased her sister. “Is our royal guest settled?”
“Yes.” Christina put down the comb and admired her work. “I think you look like a princess.”
“Thank you.” Louise’s gaze turned serious. “I want you to know that I appreciate everything you’ve done these last few months to help plan my wedding.”
Christina came around, knelt next to Louise, and took her hand. “I can never thank you for what you’ve done for me. Mrs. Bainbridge, the other women, and the school are wonderful. You can imagine my surprise when I went to have tea with Mrs. Bainbridge, and your Madame Pembroke was there, with her sister, who is also a designer and seamstress. I likened it to finding a small piece of home in Sommer-by-the-Sea.” She stood tall. “But enough about all that. It’s nearly time for the wedding. Papa will be waiting for you.”
“You and Mama go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.”
A hushed anticipationfilled the Stirling Manor chapel. The delicate fragrance of red tulips and white roses meticulously arranged around the altar filled the chapel. Soft strains of a violin quartet, a hidden ensemble, wafted through the chapel, creating a lovely atmosphere as the diverse assembly of attendees waited for the wedding to begin. From every stratum of society, those connected to the bride and groom gathered, each person’s bond to the couple significant in its own unique way.
Louise and her father, retired sergeant Enoch Hartfield, arrived at the center aisle. Nathaniel and Richard, joined by her sister Christina, stood at the altar. The guests, including the Prince Regent and his retinue, rose to their feet.
“You make us proud,” her father whispered as they walked her down the aisle. “I knew you would do yourself well, but beyond wealth, I see the love between you and Nathaniel mirrors that of your mother and me. Never take that for granted.”
“I won’t, Papa. That is the type of love I’ve always wanted.”
They paused midway down the aisle. Nathaniel stepped forward to claim her. With a kiss on her cheek, her father took his place beside her mother.
“I love you in your green gown.” He glanced at the tiara his mother had given her to wear. “It complements the Stirling tiara—diamonds and emeralds. Perfect.” He leaned close and added, “I’ll love you even more without any gown.”
She stifled a laugh and knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.
“You, my lord, took my breath away. I have seen you look dashing in evening attire but never in uniform, sword and all. Yes, you do take my breath away.”
“I intend to keep you breathless.”
They nodded to Richard and Christina.
“Your sister and Richard had their heads together earlier. Perhaps we should speak to Bessie about them. It would serve him right,” Nathaniel chuckled.
“She mentioned him earlier when she helped me dress. Christina can be stubborn. Let’s see what unfolds before we call in the expert.” Louise had no doubt that Bessie had a strong hand in their relationship, but the woman was kind, generous, and trustworthy.
“Look at Madame Pembroke and Bessie. They’re smiling.” Nathaniel said as they both smiled and nodded as they walked past them. “I thought I had made a deal with Bessie to judge the challenge. Now, I realize she had this match in mind from the very beginning.”
“I am not complaining.” Louise asserted, her focus straight ahead, a subtle smile playing on her lips.
“Neither am I.” He lightly squeezed her hand. “I foresee us working together on many other challenges.”
As they reached the altar, the guests took their seats, and the ceremony began. Louise stole glances at Nathaniel, her heart filled with a happiness that was deep and meaningful. How had she been so fortunate?
Each person present had played a role in bringing them to this moment—her sister with Madame Pembroke sewing gowns and her father hunting with Nathaniel’s father. She, her mother, Bessie, and Lady Stirling had handled the final wedding arrangements.
“My lord, are you ready with your vows?” the vicar asked Nathaniel, breaking her thoughts.
Her musing set aside, she turned to Nathaniel. His eyes held her captive. An overwhelming desire to kiss him rushed through her.
His playful, mischievous expression told her he was well aware of her thoughts.
“I, Nathaniel Joseph, Marquess of St. John, pledge to thee, Louise May Hartfield, my heart, my sword, and my service, from this day forward. As the knight serves his Royal Majesty, so shall I serve thee in all things,” Nathaniel vowed.
Tears welled in Louise’s eyes. His vows were not mere words. They resonated with the depth of his love, and assured her that this journey was a union of hearts, dreams, and destinies.
“My lady,” the vicar nodded to her.
Summoning her strength, Louise steadied her voice and fought back tears.
“Today, Nathaniel Joseph, Marquess of St. John, with all my heart, I, Louise May Hartfield, join the thread of my life with yours. Together, we shall weave a tapestry of love, as intricate and enduring as the tapestries hanging in the great hall of this very manor, to tell our story to our children and our children’s children for all our days and beyond.”
His eyes misted with emotion, understanding the weight of her words and the promises they held.
“You may,” the vicar started, but before he could finish, Nathaniel swept his wife into his arms and kissed her deeply, sealing their vows passionately.
“To the Marquess and Marchioness of St. John,” the Prince Regent’s voice rang out.
“Hear, hear,” echoed the response of the guests, their cheers mingling with the couple’s shared whispers.
“You are my heart,” Nathaniel whispered.
“As you are mine,” Louise responded to her husband.
Turning to face their guests, they joined in the celebration, their love a triumphant gambit that had won the greatest prize of all—a lifetime together.
THE END